(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Saving the forest

Protestors question status of moratorium

Oct 11, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Holding signs that read save the trees and respect the moratorium, over a dozen people gathered on Friday outside the forestry centre in downtown Prince Albert.

Over six months have passed since the provincial government announced they would halt plans to clear cut a section of forest in the Holbein and Crutwell areas, and cited a one-year moratorium to allow time for communities to collect and provide the ministry with specific information about existing Treaty rights potentially impacted by the proposed timber harvesting.

Candace Campbell said work trucks have shown up and have been moving equipment.

“I’m thinking what the heck happened to our moratorium”

Fearing the province’s forest management plan would have a big impact on their ability to hunt and gather medicines, over a dozen people showed up unannounced last January at the forestry centre and held a similar protest. Concerns were also raised with respect to disturbing potential burial sites. Since then there’s also an archaeological dig that has uncovered bison bones and have been dated between 10,739 and 10,569 years old.

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Added to Campbell’s concerns is the fact the government people they were working with, are no longer working for the government and she fears all of it has been for nothing.

“Now we have to sit there and start all over again,” she said.

Participants in Friday’s protest came from all over the region. Carla Braidek drove in from Big River

“I think it’s important we stand together, even though it’s not the forest in my backyard. It’s important we stand together and show we want to have longevity to our forests”

At the time of last January’s protest, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment stated they had no intention to destroy any sort of cultural site, and that their goal was sustainable management to prevent the spread of fires.

The Ministry also provided the following statement:

“During consultation engagement, communities raised concerns about heritage values in the vicinity of several proposed harvest areas in the Holbein area. The Ministry of Environment has therefore deferred forestry activities in these specific areas for one year to allow time for communities to collect and provide the ministry with specific information about existing Treaty rights potentially impacted by the proposed timber harvesting.”

Due to the fact the election campaign is underway, the Ministry is unable at this time to provide any further information.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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